Free Family Newsletter Download for Holiday Cards

by Lara Penrod

Writing that family newsletter to send out with your holiday cards doesn't have to be a chore. Just follow these tips for creating the perfect holiday letter. Then, add the letter to a layout for a great end-of-the-year summary as Nicole Harperdid, or create your layout first, photocopy it, and send it out as your family newsletter!

Include photos. A great holiday newsletter starts with great photos-just like a great scrapbook page. Choose a couple of your favorites from the year to include with your letter. Nicole included several photos on her layout that support what she's writing about in her family newsletter-everything from vacations, to work, to the family pet. Do as Nicole did, and choose photos that support the events you're describing in your letter.

Write about everyday events. We all think to share the big events like births, weddings, or moving. But you can also include the everyday news about job changes, a new pet, the family vacation, summer camp, or fun new hobbies you're enjoying. All of these events help your reader relate to you and feel closer to you.

Keep it casual. Remember, this is a family newsletter, not a school paper. No need to be formal here. This is for your friends and family, so using a chatty, casual tone with them is totally appropriate. You can even hand write your letter, just as Nicole did. Nicole's letter is not only handwritten, but it also contains underlining for emphasis, smiling faces, and words written in all caps. These are all things that reflect Nicole's personality-which makes her letter fun to read because you can imagine her saying the words exactly as they're written.